[Funding alert] VC firm Iron Pillar raises $45M top-up fund

Technology-focussed Venture Capital fund Iron Pillar has raised $45 million top-up fund. The fund, which was oversubscribed to its hard cap in a very short period of time, will provide Iron Pillar additional capital to back specific Fund I portfolio companies that are thriving even in the current market conditions. Fund I has already made eight investments, with very strong portfolio performance till date, including one exit from SaaS company, Now Floats, acquired by Reliance Jio In December 2019.

Anand Prasanna, Managing Partner, Iron Pillar, said, “The current crisis and its second order effects have reduced the amount of growth capital available for tech companies in India. While some may see this as a formidable challenge, we see this as a once in a lifetime opportunity for high-quality tech companies with strong market position, growth and gross margins to solidify their lead with efficient capital spend. One way to achieve this upside is for existing investors to step up with creative structures and provide access to capital for the next 24 months. The top-up fund is a proactive step in that direction to add fuel to our well performing portfolio companies.”

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With this new infusion of funds, Iron Pillar has added three global institutions, including 57 Stars LLC (a global alternatives investor) and one large European family office to its investor base. 

Mohanjit Jolly, Partner, Iron Pillar said, “Marquis LPs have decided to back the Iron Pillar vision especially in the midst of the current pandemic. This is a validation of the strength for our portfolio, credentials of our team and investment strategy.”

Indian technology startup ecosystem has grown and changed dramatically in the last five years. From only six tech unicorns and barely any capital returned to investors in 2015, India now has 38 tech unicorns with a cumulative enterprise value of over $180 billion and more than $35 billion in capital has been returned to investors. The best founders, investors and tech executives are focussing their capital and resources on building world-class companies, generating massive outcomes, both through consumer tech companies focussed on domestic market and enterprise tech startups focussed on global markets. 

“The Indian tech innovation flywheel is definitely in motion,” added Prasanna. 

The top-up fund deployment will be led by Anand Prasanna, Mohanjit Jolly and Ashok Ananthakrishnan. 

The team will continue to focus on providing growth capital to Indian founders who aspire to create world-class technology companies out of India. In addition to capital, Iron Pillar’s portfolio companies will get access to a global network of potential customers, strategic partners, senior tech executives and capital sources as catalysts.